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Blues shutout Thorns at home

FC Kansas City earned its second consecutive home shutout in a 3-0 win over the Portland Thorns after a three-goal second half performance.

Due to technical issues with the Blues’ stream, only the first half hour of the match was viewable to fans. In that first half hour, FCKC had a great attacking presence, with the team’s closest attempt in the 26th minute.

Goalkeeper Michelle Betos made a huge save on Heather O’Reilly’s initial shot from the right side of the box. The ball then fell to Amy Rodriguez (on the other side of the box) but with a defender stuck on her, she couldn’t conjure a shot from close range.

In the 27th minute, Portland’s Sinead Farrelly took a close-range hit to the face from a shot by Yael Averbuch. Play was momentarily stopped while Farrelly was treated. A few minutes later, Farrelly was subbed out of the match.

Shortly after, the stream was stopped but during the next 15 minutes, neither side could break the deadlock.

In the first half, the Blues led in shots (seven to Portland’s three) but neither team placed a single one on goal.

Midfielder Mandy Laddish put the home team ahead in the 61st minute. The goal was her first of the season. The goal was assisted by Leigh Ann Robinson. Rodriguez quickly doubled the Blues’ lead two minutes later on an assist by O’Reilly. Erika Tymrak put the game away in the 76th minute, scoring her third goal of the season. Laddish was credited with the assist–her third of the season.

With both teams entering the match tied on points (22), the win was huge for the Blues, who moved up to third place.

FC Kansas City will look to extend their shutout streak at home in 10 days when the team hosts the last-place Boston Breakers. The two teams previously faced off on May 30 and July 9 (both in Boston) with the Breakers winning the first match 1-0 and FC Kansas City picking up all three points in a 3-2 win in the second match.

The Thorns’ three-match winning streak was snapped by the Blues tonight. The team has three difficult matches ahead (against Sky Blue FC, the Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash) to sneak into playoff position.